Throughout human history, the heart has always been considered a vital and symbolic organ.
Often lovingly drawn by children or throbbing with impatience in a lover's breast, this unusual muscle is above all an organ essential to our survival.
So it seems crucial to understand the importance of taking care of them, and certainly not just on Valentine's Day!
This article will focus on a specific aspect of this management: cardiac ultrasound.
Defining cardiac ultrasound and its usefulness
Cardiac ultrasound, also known as echocardiogram or echo-Doppler of the heart, is an essential diagnostic tool in cardiology.
Non-invasive and painless, this technique harnesses ultrasound for a detailed analysis of the heart's structure and function, helping to detect and prevent potentially serious heart conditions. 👇
What is cardiac ultrasound?
The echocardiogram or echo-Doppler of the heart is a non-invasive technique for studying the overall structure of this organ in its various dimensions.
Ultrasound waves sent by a small probe (transducer) placed on the chest allow us to observe the flow of blood through the various parts of this organ: the cavities (atria and ventricles), as well as the valves that ensure the regular passage of blood.
Much more than a simple visualization, this imaging also gives us precise information on their respective functions, making it possible to confirm or rule out certain pathologies such as congenital malformations, coronary insufficiency or even serious bacterial infections like endocarditis.
Cardiac ultrasound and stroke: what's the link?
All this information gathered by cardiac ultrasound can provide answers to a large number of medical questions.
One of the most vital is undoubtedly the crucial issue of stroke risk.
Just as the heart sends blood throughout our body, it also - and above all - sends blood to the brain.
We understand that a problem with this organ can have a direct impact on the health of our vital thinking organ.
For example, a heart rhythm disorder or valve stenosis could cause blood clots to form, eventually blocking the flow to the brain and triggering a stroke.
Thanks to the precise data provided by the echocardiogram, we are able to detect various indicator factors such as structural abnormalities of the heart likely to increase the risk of silent stroke, like atrial fibrillation.
Detecting a stroke before it happens: is it possible?
Once the factors that could potentially trigger this devastating cerebral infarction have been identified by cardiac ultrasound, the next step is active prevention to minimize these famous risks.
And while this may sound like a science-fiction scenario - after all, how can predicting an accident seem unreal - reality is actually much closer!
This enables precise guidance to be given to patients and carers, greatly reducing the threat posed by ischemic stroke.
Let's face it, we'll never be able to eliminate all risks, but good observation, supported by clinical studies and a variety of physical examinations, can help us act effectively and mitigate the potentially devastating consequences of stroke.
This is an essential finesse that's important to underline: if there's still no perfectly accurate oracle in stroke prediction, there's at least a clear improvement made possible by ultrasound of this organ.
As such, it plays a key role in the fight against these strokes by doing more than simply passively preventing them: it actively participates in their avoidance.
Causes of stroke : Risk factors
Stroke, or cerebrovascular accident, is caused by a sudden interruption in the blood supply to the brain.
This abnormality may be due to a clot blocking a blood vessel (ischemic stroke) or to the rupture of a vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Several factors can increase the risk of stroke.
The first factor is high blood pressure.
When not properly controlled, it can damage vessel walls and encourage the formation of clots.
Smoking is the second major factor.
The nicotine and carbon monoxide contained in cigarettes damage artery walls and encourage the formation of blood clots.
In addition, certain heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation can also significantly increase the chances of having a stroke, by facilitating the formation of these notorious blood clots.
Excessive alcohol consumption and a diet rich in salt or saturated fats are also inadvisable, as they contribute to the development of high cholesterol and thus to the deposition of lipids on arterial walls, ultimately leading to constriction that can block blood flow to certain brain regions essential to their functioning.
Finally, it's important to note that the older we get, the more susceptible we are to cardiovascular problems, such as stroke.
Stroke symptoms: Recognize to act in time
If you're facing a possible stroke, every minute counts.
Prompt action can help limit brain damage and increase the chances of recovery. Common symptoms of stroke include:
👉 Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body)
👉 Sudden visual disturbances in one or both eyes
👉 Instant difficulty speaking or understanding
👉 Sudden loss of balance, dizziness
👉 Sudden, intense headaches with no apparent cause
In all these cases, it is essential that the patient presenting these symptoms is rapidly attended to by professionals.
Silent stroke: The unsuspected role of cardiac ultrasound
Unlike other types of stroke, which have obvious clinical manifestations as mentioned above, so-called "silent stroke" is characterized by a complete absence of the warning signs associated with cerebral ischemia.
Due to its asymptomatic nature, this type of vascular accident can go completely undetected for days or even weeks after its onset, making it particularly complex to diagnose.
Fortunately, thanks to modern medical progress, we now benefit from a wide selection of tools that greatly facilitate their remote detection, notably thanks to the advent of cardiac ultrasound.
In fact, the heart is responsible for the majority of these so-called silent strokes, specifically because of the abnormal formation of internal clots (thrombi) which suddenly break loose and lodge in a cerebral vessel, blocking it.
It is therefore essential for all healthcare professionals to investigate this possibility.
This is where cardiac ultrasound comes into its own.
In fact, it enables the practitioner not only to visualize precisely all the internal structures of this organ, but also, and above all, their dynamic functioning, thus ensuring his or her ability to detect any associated anomalies.
For example, ultrasound can be used for early diagnosis or screening of conditions such as atrial fibrillation, where the heart beats rapidly and irregularly, or to determine whether your left ventricle is enlarged.
The cardiac examination at Cardio Laval: Step by step
At Cardio Laval, we put our patients first.
With this in mind, each cardiac examination is carefully designed to meet the patient's specific needs.
1️⃣ The first step is an initial consultation.
During this, your doctor will review your complete medical history, current symptoms and potential risk factors for major cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes and so on.
During this decisive initial process, don't hesitate to ask any questions or raise any concerns you may have, so that the cardiologist can get a clearer picture of your state of health.
2️⃣ Specific tests may then be prescribed. One example is cardiac ultrasound, a non-invasive tool that uses sound waves to create images of the heart.
3️⃣ Finally, these tests will enable the practitioner to assess various heart functionalities such as volumetric performance estimation and color Doppler, which enables blood flow to be verified.
Your heart health, our priority: Centre Cardio Laval's commitment
We understand that each patient has his or her own concerns and needs.
It is in this specific spirit that we make every effort to provide a patient-centered approach, taking into account all these different individual dimensions.
We intervene at diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive levels, making sure that your heart keeps beating to ensure a healthy life.
You can count on us to deal with any uncertainty.
We have put in place a highly qualified team to offer the best possible care with a culture of respect and empathy.
In conclusion, facilitating early detection of minor variations responsible for major coronary events is central to our mission at Cardio Laval, helping to significantly improve quality of life.
It's possible to prevent a stroke!
Adopting healthy lifestyle habits is essential to reducing the risk of stroke.
Here are some practical tips for taking care of your cardiovascular health and preventing stroke. 👇
Good habits to prevent a stroke
Prevention is undoubtedly the best remedy against stroke.
By adopting healthy lifestyle habits, you can significantly reduce your risk. It all starts with a balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables.
Regular physical activity, such as brisk walking or cycling for at least 30 minutes a day, can also help lower blood pressure, as can quitting smoking if you're a smoker.
It's also a good idea to limit alcohol consumption, while taking time out to relax and control stress.
Regular checks: Effective prevention
Regular medical check-ups are essential even when we're feeling well, as they enable health professionals to identify potential risk factors before they become problematic.
So it's important to be alert for warning signs such as unexplained chest pain or frequent palpitations, which may call for a visit to a cardiologist.
At Centre Cardio Laval, our qualified team performs these in-depth examinations with professionalism and compassion, in order to assess your cardiovascular condition and take the necessary measures in line with your individual needs.
Cardiac ultrasound: long-term follow-up
Cardiac ultrasound, a non-invasive and painless tool, is an excellent way to monitor your cardiovascular health.
It allows our cardiologists to examine the functioning of your heart in real time.
The images produced are then analyzed to detect any anomalies before they cause major complications.
By making cardiac ultrasound part of your regular check-up, you can make an active contribution to stroke prevention while enjoying peace of mind about your cardiovascular condition.
Cardiac ultrasound at Cardio Laval: Cutting-edge technology for your health
At Centre Cardio Laval, we do our utmost to ensure that you benefit from the best possible service.
We are equipped with state-of-the-art echocardiography equipment that provides us with precise images of the heart, its surrounding structures and the blood fluids circulating in the coronary vessels.
Thanks to this advanced technology, coupled with our recognized expertise gained over many years of medical experience, we have succeeded in maintaining a highly satisfactory quality within our center, attracting both local and international clientele.
Your health is our priority: Make an appointment now!
Effective prevention is a collective effort between you and your caregivers.
That's why at Centre Cardio Laval, we work together toward a single goal: maintaining or improving your cardiovascular health.
We have a dedicated team ready to accompany you on this journey of prevention.
The earlier a potential risk is detected, the greater the chances of successful treatment. Don't wait for the situation to get worse before taking action.
By taking care of your heart today, you're helping to build a healthier, brighter tomorrow.
Make an appointment now with Centre Cardio Laval via the following link. 🖥️
For us, every beat counts!
